An official holding a high position in an Arab country stated in a phone call with “Eilaf” that the former Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam “wrote the end of the regime he contributed to building.” He added, “After the statement he made to ‘Al-Arabiya’ satellite channel, something significant happened.” The Arab official explained that Khaddam’s sensational media appearance and his statements were not impulsive or improvised; rather, they required a multi-faceted action plan involving forces, even Arab and Western countries. This was orchestrated by the second-in-command of the Ba’athist regime for over twenty years and the most prominent figure within the regime during the tenure of the late President Hafez al-Assad. He possesses the desired qualities and specifications for this role as he was part of the governing structure until the recent past, well-informed about its composition, details, intricacies, and the secrets of its personnel. Additionally, he belongs to the Sunni majority in Syria, which some have said might be governed by the “Al-Qaeda” group should the international community decide to abandon or overthrow the Assad regime. His emergence on the forefront suggests that there is always a possibility of a better alternative to the existing situation, and it’s not necessarily that what comes after has to be worse.
The Arab official points out that the unparalleled interview with “Al-Arabiya,” which concluded the year with a powerful tremor that shook the pillars of the current Syrian regime, included remarks from Khaddam indicating that the late Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri had the right to rally the Sunni community around him, strengthen it, and empower it, similar to what has happened with leaders of other sectarian-based groups in Lebanon. This signals with significant implications in Syria considering the formula that has governed it for over 35 years, led by an Alawite minority that employs slogans of the Sunni majority, which participates in governance from its lowest levels. Khaddam, adept at selecting his words, might also be alluding to its rightful strengthening and empowerment in his own country, as is the case with others. Thus, the groundwork has been laid, and the necessary foundations have been established for a change that only lacks finding an Alawite ally from within the ruling regime, retaining an influential and active position while not aligning with the controlling elements and their choices and policies. This ally would recognize that Syria, under Assad, has reached a complete impasse often referred to as the bottleneck. Therefore, a rescue operation for the state and its people is essential. Who will step forward, hand in hand with Khaddam?
Khaddam’s Testimony to the Investigative Committee
It is most likely that a month or even less will pass before the truth is revealed. But what is certain is that there are elements that will aid and hasten the emergence of alternatives, including the urgency of the impending situations for Syria. This is especially highlighted in light of what “Eilaf” has learned, that a delegation from the international investigation committee into the Hariri assassination has headed to Paris to document Khaddam’s testimony. This implies that he will be the key witness in the case, whose testimony is irrefutable and immune from doubt, unless Damascus authorities consider the international court akin to the Syrian People’s Council, a contrived creation. If they believe they still have the option to strike a deal to salvage their rule, which could not bear a blow as severe as the one dealt by Khaddam in the first place.
Returning to the high-level Arab official, he concluded the call by confirming that France and an active Arab state are interested in the details of what is transpiring between Lebanon and Syria. They were aware of Khaddam’s intention to launch his formidable bombshell against Bashar al-Assad’s regime. They assisted in creating the appropriate circumstances and provided protection. He ruled out the possibility that the Syrian Vice President or any of his children, who are currently within his orbit, would return openly to Syria before a true and fundamental change occurs. He clarified that Khaddam is smarter than allowing them in Damascus to repeat what the other Iraqi Ba’ath party did under Saddam Hussein’s leadership with his son-in-law Hussein Kamil.
The official didn’t rule out, in conclusion, the possibility that the former Syrian Chief of Staff, General Hikmat al-Shihabi, might join Khaddam in a similar stance. Considering that they were and still are a duo, their positions aligning with all the crises, issues, and challenges Syria faced. Al-Shihabi’s alignment with Khaddam could contribute to completing the dismantling of what’s left in the fragile structure of Assad’s rule.
